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Lee goes nuclear on Buck as North Las Vegas mayor's race gets nastier
In a new mail piece that hit this week -- and I mean hit -- ex-state Sen. John Lee accused North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck of being ethically bankrupt. "Shari Buck is looking out for herself, not your family," the piece, which I have attached here, says. And in the annals of "let's choose the worst picture we can find of our opponent," this may be the winner.
Hootervillegate update: Henderson official placed an leave; Olympics letter posted
Two developments in the ongoing case of the city of Henderson and its lawsuit against Chris Milam, the would-be arena developer:
State of tax play in Carson City
With all this talk of a complicated margins tax and a labyrinthine process to get SJR 15 and a mining tax passed, I thought I'd simplify the tax battle in the capital at the quarter-way mark: THE DIRTY HALF-DOZEN (ROBERSON & CO.): There's gold in them thar companies. Translation: The mining protections and the margins tax are dead; long live the mining taxes. THE OTHER SENATE RS: No way, no how. Translation: No way, no how.
Las Vegas Sands breaks with NRA, backs GOP mining tax proposal
Despite an implictly critical statement from the gaming industry lobbying arm, the Las Vegas Sands is backing the six GOP senators who want to take mining taxation out of the state Constitution and create a new levy on the industry.
Deja vu all over again on taxes -- or is it?
Republicans wanting to raise taxes on a previously untouchable industry. Republicans attacking Republicans. Republicans pretending they are not criticizing the governor, but actually…criticizing the governor. Oh, joy.
Legislative lawyers to Gang of 63: Go ahead and tax mining as much as you want
Or words to that effect. In an opinion i have obtained, the Legislative Cousnel Bureau rebuts a long-running mining lobbying corps' argument that passing SJR15 would lower the industry's tax burden. Not so, says the LCB. And it only takes a majority vote to put it on the ballot. Read all about it, posted here.
Republicans to propose mining tax initiative as alternative to margins tax
UPDATE2 -- GOVERNOR OPPOSES -- Here is his statement, via his spox: In his balanced budget, the Governor's commitment to K-12 education has increased spending for our schools, including an additional $135 million general fund investment. What's more, because the economy is growing and local revenues are up, overall spending on K-12 education is up over $400 million from last biennium. The Governor's budget included increased spending for education without increased taxes. The Governor will not support a tax increase.
Steven Brooks vs. the Legislature
This was inevitable, I suppose. Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks has filed a brief, though his attorney Mitchell Posin, with the state Supreme Court, arguing he cannot be banned from doing his job. This was always a danger when lawmakers moved so swiftly to create a select committee, give ChairmanWilliam Horne absolute power and then immediately banish an elected official from the place where he is supposed to do his elected business.
Nuclear industry and Harry Reid both happy about DOE nominee
Back in 1999, the undersecretary of energy swatted away concerns about geologic disposal at Yucca Mountain. ''There is certainly science left to do and being done,'' Dr. Ernest Moniz told The New York Times in a piece headlined: "New questions plague nuclear waste storage plan."
Even if Brooks is convicted, it appears he could still serve
UPDATE: Legal eagles now providing unsolicited but potentially sound...legal opinions. Could lawmakers have an out with Article 15, Sec. 3? Sec. 3. Eligibility for public office.